This Natural Skincare Product Has An Unexpected Ingredient That's Good For Your Skin And The Planet

Claire's December Beauty Pick: Olive + M, The Olive Oil-Based Product That's Good For Your Skin And The Planet

Claire's Monthly Beauty Picks is a series introducing readers to new fashion and beauty products from brands she believes in. These products not only help readers look and feel good, but have a positive impact on the world, the environment, and hopefully the user's self-image, too.

This month, a cleansing face and body oil product called Olive + M caught my attention when I learned it's key ingredient was olive oil. Even better, the founder, Mariska Nicholson believes that "to maintain our naturally beautiful skin, we don't have to compromise our own well-being, or the well-being of our planet."

So, after testing out Olive + M's body oil, I caught up with Nicholson about the inspiration behind her brand, as well as all the benefits from using her products.

What inspired you to launch Olive + M?

Olive + M was born out of a desire to share with others my passion for using oil on your skin. In 2010, I began researching natural plant-based oils and their properties, and then pulling from my culinary school experience, I began mixing blends in my kitchen. I loved all the knowledge I was acquiring about the beauty of these oils that Mother Nature provided. I became an obsessive ingredient deck reader, and educated myself on all the toxic chemicals that were in most of the products in my bathroom, it was transformative! The formulas I made in my kitchen were very well received by friends and family, and word of mouth. It became clear to me that using oil on your skin was something I was called to educate women on, so I found an angel investor and formulated my personal regime; cleansing oil, face oil and body oil. Olive + M was born!

What do you think is one of the coolest benefits people will get from using your products?

Fast and noticeable results. Most people have no idea that using an oil on their skin can be so beneficial and a game-changer. They are blown away by the results and how quickly they see them. I wanted to create a formula that would assist your skin in being as visually hydrated and glowing as possible while reducing fine lines and wrinkles. I wanted it to feel luxurious to the touch, be a delight to the senses and penetrate quickly and deeply. And I did!

Why olive oil? What does it do for the skin?

Olive oil is very close molecularly to the oil your skin naturally creates, called sebum. So when applied to the skin, it penetrates deeply and quickly. Olive oil is a plant-based oil naturally rich in not only vitamins, minerals and fatty acids needed to keep your skin healthy and youthful, but it is also packed with vitamin E, polyphenols, and phytosterols, otherwise known as antioxidants. Olive oil contains Hydroxytyrosol, the world's most powerful antioxidant ... Antioxidants in skin care can provide benefits such as inflammation reduction, skin firming and sun damage repair. They can also reduce the appearance of wrinkles and scar tissue.

When you cleanse your skin with olive oil, as opposed to an astringent soap, your skin will not try to overcompensate and produce excessive sebum to replace what has been stripped away. Instead, it will absorb the natural oils and as a result, your skin looks instantly healthier and more youthful. So you see Olive oil is an MVP!

Why is it important for you to create GMO, gluten, and cruelty-free products?

We don't have to be cruel to the Mother Earth OR animals to formulate effective natural skin care. Mother Nature has laid the bounty before us, and we just need to respectfully utilize her offerings, which means sustainable harvesting, land and sea, and treating our animals friends with same respect. The gluten-free piece is a simple one for me because I am celiac. And the GMO piece simply doesn't fit with my objective when creating Olive + M, which was to create an unadulterated, nutrient-rich, all natural olive oil-based skin care protocol. Every ingredient had to be made by Mother Nature not in a lab like a GMO.

What do you hope people take away from using your products?

They love the way it smells and feels, and how it penetrates into the skin and gives them a healthy glow. They love that Ashlyn [Olive + M's marketing director] and I are real people and so accessible, and that we like to personally communicate with our customers and stay in contact with them / have a real conversation and create community. They appreciate that.

Fashion, food, beauty, and art. I enjoy all things visual and tactile, and to me, these things are all intertwined. Olive + M is not just an awesome skin care regime it is a lifestyle with many facets and layers that expands and grows daily. It is a privilege and an honor to have created it and to share it with others.